Emilia-Romagna - Culture

Emilia-Romagna includes two distinct districts. Emilia is on the western half of the region. Romagna is to the east. Both belonged to Constantinople for centuries. The origin of the name for this region, located on the western side of Italy is drawn from antiquity. During the 2nd century BC, the ancient road leading from Rome to the Alps, through the town of Aemilia, was built to honour the Roman Consul Mark Emilio Facetious. In the 6th century AD, the Romans lost the territory to the Byzantines. The Byzantines called the land Romania. In 1947, after Italy was unified, the name was changed to Emilia-Romagna.

Most of Emilia-Romagna's major towns lie near Via Aemilia. These towns link Rimini on the Adriatic coast with Piacenza on the western border. Emilia-Romagna stretches from the eastern coast of Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea to the western side of Italy. Emilia-Romagna is filled with architectural gems, with ancient and famous universities, and with centres of artistic and cultural significance. Europe's oldest university is located in Bologna. The city also features two ancient towers of the Asinelli and the Garisenda and has its share of great medieval buildings and gothic designs. Not to be missed are the beautiful Romanesque cathedrals in Modena, the ancient Palazzo comunale in Piacenza or the 17th century Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ghiara in Reggio Emilia.

Emilia-Romagna also offers many museums, galleries, churches and castles to explore as well as having the fine reputation as one of Italy's great epicurean centres. It was once known as the breadbasket of the Roman Empire. The region is covered with astonishing fields of wheat, rice, and beets. With its rich agricultural heritage, this is where some of Italy's most famous culinary delights first originated. The region is famous for its salami and its magnificent mortadella. Pasta, Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar are also from this region. The famous Italian pasta here is varied and superb. Bologna is Italy's undisputed culinary capital.

Besides fine food and fabulous architecture, Emilia-Romagna is known for music and art. The region has given many remarkable artists and professionals to Italy and to the world. Opera stars Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni are from Emilia-Romagna. Film directors Federico Fellini and Pupi Avati, fashion guru Giorgio Armani, the painter Ligabue, popular singers Lucio Dalla, Vasco Rossi and Zucchero Fornaciari and poet Giovanni Pascoli are all from this area. World-famous automobile makers Enzo Ferrari and Ferruccio Lamborghini are also from this region.

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